Hydroxylated and sulfated metabolites of commonly observed airborne polychlorinated biphenyls display selective uptake and toxicity in N27, SH-SY5Y, and HepG2 cells

•Phenolic and sulfated metabolites of PCBs 3, 8, 11, and 52 were studied in vitro.•The OH-PCBs displayed toxicity to N27, SHSY-5Y, and HepG2 cells.•OH-PCBs were generally more toxic than the corresponding PCBs or PCB sulfates.•4-PCB 52 sulfate, however, showed significant toxicity to neural and hepatic cells.•Mechanisms for 4-PCB 52 sulfate toxicity may require its metabolism to 4-OH-PCB 52. Although neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity have long been associated with exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), less is known about the selective toxicity of those hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) and PCB sulfates that are metabolites derived from exposure to PCBs found in indoor air. We have examined the toxicity of OH-PCBs and PCB sulfates derived from PCBs 3, 8, 11, and 52 in two neural cell lines (N27 and SH-SY5Y) and an hepatic cell line (HepG2). With the exception of a similar toxicity seen for N27 cells exposed to either OH-PCB 52 or PCB 52 sulfate, these OH-PCBs were more toxic to all three cell-types than their corresponding PCB or PCB sulfate congeners. Differences in the distribution of individual OH-PCB and PCB sulfate congeners between the cells and media, and the ability of cells to interconvert PCB sulfates and OH-PCBs, were important components of cellular sensitivity to these toxicants.